This article summarizes reporting by Fox News and official statements from the Department of Justice.

Former U.S. Air Forces Pilot Arrested for Allegedly Training Chinese Military Aviators

Federal authorities have arrested a retired U.S. Air Force Major on charges of conspiring to provide unauthorized military training to the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in China. The arrest of 65-year-old Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., announced on February 25, 2026, marks the latest development in a broader federal crackdown on Western military personnel selling their expertise to foreign adversaries.

According to reporting by Fox News and unsealed court documents, Brown was taken into custody in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Prosecutors allege that Brown, a former F-35 simulator instructor, violated the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) by sharing sensitive U.S. military tactics with Chinese pilots without the required export license from the State Department.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) claims Brown’s activities were facilitated by intermediaries connected to Stephen Su Bin, a convicted Chinese hacker known for targeting U.S. defense contractors. If convicted, Brown faces significant prison time for allegedly betraying the oath he took as an American servicemember.

The Allegations: “Defense Services” for the PLAAF

The criminal complaint details a timeline of events beginning in August 2023, when Brown allegedly began communicating with Chinese contacts. According to federal prosecutors, Brown traveled to China in December 2023 and remained there until February 2026, allegedly providing instruction on combat aircraft operations.

Under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), providing “defense services”, which includes training foreign military personnel, requires explicit authorization. The DOJ alleges Brown neither sought nor received such a license. Upon his arrival in China, prosecutors claim Brown expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity in seized communications:

“Now… I have the chance to fly and instruct fighter pilots again!”

Alleged message from Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., cited by the Department of Justice

The government alleges that on his very first day in China, Brown spent hours answering technical questions about U.S. Air Force operations. He subsequently provided personal briefings and ongoing instruction to PLAAF personnel throughout his stay.

The Su Bin Connection

A critical element of the government’s case is Brown’s alleged association with Stephen Su Bin. Su Bin is a Chinese national who was convicted in the United States in 2016 for conspiring to hack major defense contractors, including Boeing and Lockheed Martin, to steal designs for the F-22, F-35, and C-17 aircraft.

According to the charges, Brown negotiated his employment through a network linked to Su Bin. This connection suggests a coordinated effort by Chinese state actors to acquire U.S. military knowledge through both cyber espionage and the recruitment of human assets.

Military Background and F-35 Sensitivity

Brown, who utilized the call sign “Runner,” served 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1996 with the rank of Major. His service record includes commanding nuclear weapons delivery units and flying combat missions. He served as an instructor for multiple airframes, including the F-4, F-15, F-16, and A-10.

However, it is his post-military career that has likely drawn the most scrutiny from counterintelligence officials. After retiring, Brown worked as a contract simulator instructor for the F-35 Lightning II, the United States’ most advanced stealth fighter. Knowledge regarding the F-35’s operational limits, sensor fusion capabilities, and tactics is considered highly classified and extremely valuable to near-peer adversaries like China.

Official Reactions

Federal officials have condemned the alleged actions as a betrayal of national security. In a statement released following the arrest, John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, emphasized the gravity of the charges.

“The United States Air Force trained Major Brown to be an elite fighter pilot and entrusted him with the defense of our Nation. He now stands charged with training Chinese military pilots…”

John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security

Roman Rozhavsky, Assistant Director of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division, echoed these sentiments, noting the persistent efforts by the Chinese government to exploit U.S. military expertise.

“Gerald Brown… allegedly betrayed his country by training Chinese pilots to fight against those he swore to protect.”

Roman Rozhavsky, FBI Assistant Director

AirPro News Analysis: A Pattern of Recruitment

The arrest of Gerald Brown is not an isolated incident but part of a documented trend where the Chinese military aggressively recruits former Western pilots to fast-track their own capabilities. By hiring experienced instructors, the PLAAF seeks to understand Western tactics and carrier operations without the decades of institutional learning usually required.

This case draws parallels to that of Daniel Duggan, a former U.S. Marine Corps pilot arrested in Australia in 2022. Duggan is currently fighting extradition to the U.S. on charges that he trained Chinese pilots to land on aircraft carriers. In response to these threats, NATO allies, including the UK and Australia, have recently issued joint warnings about Chinese headhunting firms targeting former military personnel with lucrative contracts.

The specific mention of the F-35 in Brown’s background makes this case particularly sensitive. While previous cases often involved older platforms or general carrier operations, the potential transfer of knowledge regarding fifth-generation stealth tactics represents a severe breach of operational security.

Timeline of Events

• 1996: Brown retires from the U.S. Air Force as a Major.
• 2016: Co-conspirator Stephen Su Bin pleads guilty to hacking U.S. defense contractors.
• August 2023: Brown allegedly begins negotiating with Chinese contacts.
• December 2023: Brown travels to China to begin training PLAAF pilots.
• February 2026: Brown returns to the U.S.
• February 25, 2026: Brown is arrested in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

Sources: Fox News, Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation